Dodgers News: Joc Pederson Wants To Stay In LA, Understands If Traded

Crowded has become one of the words associated with the Los Angeles Dodgers outfield and with four capable starting players, it may be the most suiting word.

Heading into 2014, the Dodgers have Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig all available for three outfield spots, not to mention any outfield prospects in their farm system. A trade has been mentioned as one of the ways to alleviate the problem and could see any one of the players sent away to another team.

According to Mark Saxon of ESPN LA, one Dodger prospect shared his thoughts about his future in Los Angeles:

Obviously, I don’t want to get traded. Being in L.A. would be something special and it’s close to home, but the Dodgers would be just trying to win and I understand that. I’m not really competing with a normal outfield. You have four superstars.

Pederson is considered the team’s top oufield prospect and has been mentioned in trade rumors this off-season because of his tough path to the majors. All four of the Dodgers’ current outfielders are signed long-term and are All-Star caliber players. The 21-year-old is still a year or two away from making the big leagues, but may never get the chance if the outfielders stay in Los Angeles. Being one of the team’s top prospects made him one of the first names on the list to be traded if the Dodgers were to pursue a big name this off-season.

Last season, Pederson spent the season in Double-A, where he hit .278 with 22 home runs, 58 RBI and 31 stolen bases in 123 games. Barring injuries, he will likely spend another year in Double-A or make the jump to Triple-A, depending on what the organization feels is necessary. For the time being, Pederson is working hard and will get a chance to showcase his skills in Spring Training beginning next month.

About The Author

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

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[…] who needs regular rest. Scott Van Slyke should figure to get ample playing time this season and highly touted prospect Joc Pederson could find himself on the big league squad at some point down the line, but that’s probably not something the […]